Stockografie, the X100T and Marrakesh

Day 1

Just a few days ago my wife and I got back from an incredible trip from Marrakesh. This city is so amazing, so very different to our city´s we have in Germany. The Medina, where our Riad was situated to the north of this, is absolutely crazy. The narrow streets are filled with people, motorcycles and bicycles.

Before we left to this awesome place I was in a real dilemma. What of my gear should I take with me? Just the X100T, some spare batteries and some SD cards? Maybe the full lot? The Olympus E-M1 with the 12-40 as well? It took a lot of thinking and speaking to other fellow visitors such as Marc Wiegelmann to come to the conclusion that the best thing was to just take the X100T, my newly acquired Lensmate, some spare batteries and some SD cards. This decision was the best I could have made. I felt so relieved not having to think which lens to put on or even which camera to take.

The other thing is that photographing in Marrakesh is not of the easy sort. Most of the locals don´t want to be photographed and that makes pure street photography very difficult. A small unobtrusive camera like the X100T helps to get the one or the other shot without being noticed. I must admit that the X100T did such a marvelous job in Marrakesh that I am honestly thinking of just using this camera for everything. I have done this once before, photographed with the X100 for over one year and had nothing else and felt happy. The X100T is so much better than the original X100 that it would be an easy one. But that is a different topic. Back to Marrakesh with the X100T slung around my shoulder.

The filled streets of the Medina

This was on the way to the Djamaa El Fna, one of the most popular places tourist visit in Marrakesh. Yes we had to see it as well but you will see that my wife and I did not only visit the tourist places in Marrakesh. We had some great tips from the owners of the Riad which we stayed at. By the way, we stayed at the Riad Aguaviva and I can only speak the utmost best about this Riad. The people there are so friendly that I can only recommend this Riad. Anyway, Maria from the Riad took us near to the Djamaa El Fna on the first day. This was after they had listen to what we would want to see in Marrakesh.

Colors of Marrakesh

Streets of Marrakesh

Inside the Djamaa El Fna

Walking over the Square

Fresh orange juice

The above shown shots where taken on the way to the Djamaa El Fna and on the square itself. The last one shows a “shop” where you can by excellent fresh orange juice. Just be aware of one thing. They will always give you a little sneak peak glass filled with blood orange juice. This cost 100 Dirham which is aprox 1€. Ask for the the normal orange juice. This only costs 40 Dirham which is about 0,40€. And the taste is great.

After walking across the square and gathering all the new impressions, the noise and the different smells of food and spices my wife and I needed a break. By this time it must have been about 5pm. We decided to take a break and went to one of the many cafes around the square to enjoy a glass of mint tea. We did so and waited for the sun to set across the Djamaa El Fna square. That was the best decision we could have made. Just take a look at the photographs I took.

A glass of mint tea?

Sunset over Djamaa El Fna

Panoramic sunset over Djamaa El Fna

Miniture effect view looking down

Miniture effect of the sunset

Black and white shadow view

Bokeh view with the X100T

Night is drawing in

Night is drawing in pano shot

After enjoying this wonderful sunset looking down on the Djamaa El Fna square it was time for my wife and me to get something to eat. We went back into the noise, the smells of food and spices and went to one of the stands where there where no tourist at all. Just some locals eating some soup. It was delicious!!!

Trying to sell his goods

Can you smell the food?

Cooking the food

Soup in Marrakesh

After this dish of soup and some hand and foot and a little of trying to understand the Spanish from the local couple we met there it was time to head back to our Riad Aguaviva to get some rest for the second day.

Day 2

After a super delicious breakfast it was time to hit the narrow streets of Marrakesh again. This time we headed towards the photographic museum where you can take a look at old and newer photographs from the people of Morocco. On the way I took some snaps with the still awesome performing Fujifilm X100T. This little camera started to surprise me more and more. It is snappy, the focus is fast (at least in daylight, at night and close distance things are different) and the colors coming out of this jpeg engine is just amazing.

On the scooter

Pushing the cart

Looking up

Talking!

View over Marrakesh Jpeg OOC Classic Chrome

After relaxing on the roof top terrace with a mint tea it was time to head to the next destination. We walked the streets of Marrakesh and headed to the Medersa Ben Youssef.

After this cultural visit to the old Marrakesh we headed back to the Riad and got ready for an evening meal.

Street shot

The walking man

Reading

Long street

Glas of wine

Day 3

On day 3 we decided to have a very relaxing day. After a very late breakfast we headed to the rooftop of the Riad Aguaviva and just enjoyed the hot sun, the pool and in the evening a nice meal at a restaurant close by called Ill Limoni.

Enjoying the sun

Shot into the sun

The way to cool down

Lemon at Ill Limoni

Fruity fountain

This very last photograph is showing me wearing the Fuji Rumors T-Shirt. Feel free to take a look on the Fuji Rumors page and learn all about this shirt. Fair Trade Shirt

Do come back and read all about Day 4 to Day 7 where I will post more photographs of Marrakesh and talk about a day trip to Essaouira.

Near enough all photographs where taken with the X100T in Jpeg mode using the Velvia film simulation. Just a bunch have been converted from raw to jpeg using Lightroom 6.

If you should have any questions about the Fujifilm X100T or Marrakesh or anything feel free to drop a line, write an Email or contact me via Facebook.